PDB contest clarification

Ok, I have a question here.

I found a neat site with soil ph preferences for a variety of plants. I've been entering the information in the PDB and wondered...does each entry count toward the contest totals? It's extremely time consuming, but I'm sure it will be worth it to some people as they research planting conditions and such. Plus, I'm learning a lot. :)

Also, and it's a sub-question to the one above....any entry is counted as "1" if you will. Like, say I enter bloom color for a flower and soil ph, too. Does that count for two - or is it one since it was for one plant?

Not trying to split hairs, just want to make sure I understand.

Hi Carla,

Actually, the checkbox options aren't counted toward the contest at all. Those are extremely important for a lot of reasons, and they are crucial to the PDB, but we chose to not include them in the database.

This year's contest is just like last year's: We're counting Plants, Images, and Comments. Everything else added (like checkboxes) are purely bonus "extra credit" that makes you appreciated by tens of thousands of gardeners around the world. :)

dave

This is my opinion...

The checkbox options are equally, if not more important than someone's comments (which may or may not be beneficial at all given the possible differences in growing conditions and personal taste). I'd much rather base my decision on planting something by perusing more scientific data like watering needs, sun or shade, etc. People's comments may be helpful, but they're very subjective.

Adding plants and images is essential, from my point of view. However, I believe that individual comments are only somewhat beneficial, and not nearly as imporant as factual information.

Plus, if you included that as a part of the contest, you'd get more/better information regarding the actual growing conditions essential for each plant. What point is a database with people's comments, but little or incomplete information about the actual plant itself?

Once again, just stating my opinion here.

smiln,

We're in a strong agreement here, the checkboxes are a crucial and necessary part of the database. Without them, the database would be severely handicapped.

By opting to not include them as part of the contest, we are not diminishing the perception of their value. We had to pick something to make the contest, so we chose Plants, Images, and Comments. That isn't a statement of which of the 4 things is most important.

So, I think we're in complete agreement.

dave

Well, at least the work I did last night, while not helping me with the contest, will at least benefit many people. I spent a few hours updating soil ph's on a bunch of plants.

Smiln, I think we're all in general agreement from a philosophical standpoint.

Here's my rationale for why I suggested we focus this year's contest on images and comments, and - to a lesser degree - on adding plants. The challenge is meant to draw all our members' attention to the database and help familiarize everyone with using it - and adding to it.

Many members, when first faced with the task of creating an entry, have said they feel uncomfortable. Ditto for adding the details you described above. Adding a photo or comment is arguably easier the first time out; it's a way of drawing some of our members into becoming regular database contributors.

I've enjoyed watching many of our members "graduate" from tentatively adding a few things, to becoming strong and enthusiastic contributors as their confidence grows.

Perhaps a second challenge (which I think I might have even mentioned when the first annual contest concluded - WHERE does the time go?) could focus more on adding the details. It's certainly an idea worth exploring further.

And I'll add that your effort in the soil ph's is EXTREMELY appreciated. Those kinds of things, while seeming to be small, do take a lot of effort on your part, and tend to get rewarded.